VIN Painted Over

PDXF4IandZX7 · 08-13-2012, 04:25 PM

So, I have a bike that needs to be registered. The issue is that the VIN number that is stamped on the frame is illegible. The frame of the bike was powder coated prior to my ownership. Should I try to sand off the portion over the VIN or attempt to contact the state and get a new VIN (the power coat is deep, I'd be sanding with a block in a very awkward place to have to sand - under the right handle bar - and it'd probably take a few hrs)?

I already tried to take it to DMV who referred me to CHP. CHP told me to get paint remover (which I don't think works for a power coating?) and then come back (which at that point I'd go straight to DMV - if I can read the VIN then I would imagine DMV could).

Anyone have success in removing a powder coat fairly easily or in getting a new VIN?

Thaloc · 08-13-2012, 04:27 PM

Took me 5 seconds on google. Try it next time.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-powdercoa...ver-quart.html

PDXF4IandZX7 · 08-13-2012, 04:28 PM

I suppose it was worth a google, wasn't it? Shaka brah

Thaloc · 08-13-2012, 04:33 PM

It looks like it needs to soak though.. hmmm Might be tricky on the side of a frame

PDXF4IandZX7 · 08-13-2012, 04:34 PM

Yeah, I was stoked, and then I was not quite as stoked, but maybe I can sponge it or something, lol

MeRock · 08-13-2012, 04:40 PM

You might try scraping it off with a razor blade at a 90 degree angle.

TJC · 08-13-2012, 08:18 PM

Isn't The Man going to be a little suspicious of a bunch of sanding on the VIN? Wouldn't the assumption be that the VIN had been modified?

RedKat600 · 08-13-2012, 08:20 PM

What, no VIN sticker??

nemisis714 · 08-13-2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by TJC

Isn't The Man going to be a little suspicious of a bunch of sanding on the VIN? Wouldn't the assumption be that the VIN had been modified?

They shouldn't be if you explain that somebody powdercoated the frame right over the stamped VIN.

shadowride69 · 08-13-2012, 08:27 PM

do it(scrape with razor) in the parking lot of the dmv if your worried about them wondering why its scraped

Andy Capp · 08-13-2012, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by TJC

Isn't The Man going to be a little suspicious of a bunch of sanding on the VIN? Wouldn't the assumption be that the VIN had been modified?

Just tape off the surrounding area and sand lightly until it becomes readable. It will be obvious what has occurred. If they really push you can always sand it all off so it can be seen there is no tampering but to be honest if the engine no. And vin match your paperwork you should be good to go.

TJC · 08-13-2012, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by nemisis714

They shouldn't be if you explain that somebody powdercoated the frame right over the stamped VIN.

That's funny.

You think The Man listens to explanations?
You think The Man doesn't assume you're a crook if there's anything slightly unusual?
You think The Man thinks?

I want to live in your world.

RC51 · 08-13-2012, 08:46 PM

So if the vin is not legible due to the previous owner powder coating the frame, how do you really know it is your bike?

Originally Posted by RedKat600

What, no VIN sticker??

Lol, it probably would't have done so well in the oven.

Just peel the shit off with a razor blade.

Mince2534 · 08-13-2012, 10:03 PM

I don't know much about powder coating. But wouldn't a at least half decent Powder coater tape the vin up. looks like a jack ball move from the begining..

its stolen

nsrg500 · 08-13-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by RedKat600

What, no VIN sticker??

Take a pic before and middle and after to show your work.
Maybe use a 1/2" wide flat-blade X-Acto so you can do a nice neat job of it.
I'd cut a nice out-line. Then just scrape up to the line and it wont look so bad.
Like the two on the lower left>>>>

Then cover it with a sticker.

OOk · 08-13-2012, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by RedKat600

What, no VIN sticker??

I sea wot u dyd thar.

odin544 · 08-14-2012, 12:10 AM

I've removed powder coating from unwanted areas before. It was fairly easy. But it was also on fresh powder coating. I just used a razor.

centicide · 08-14-2012, 03:55 AM

The trick for this is to use the stripper

get the stripper and some 2" aluminum foil tape, use the tape and a bondo applicator ( to ensure a good seal) to make a tray around and above the vin. pour in your stripper and let it soak.

dont use razor blades, blades make scratches, scratches turn into cracks. Say NO to crack.

crfracer96 · 08-14-2012, 07:48 AM

you can go on line and run the vin before taking it to the popo. that way if it IS hot you wont be surprised! do you know/have contact info for the seller? may come in handy.... just sayin.

If it is stolen, motor and frame may not match up, turn in just the frame! get new and rebuild your salvage bike

Kelbor · 08-14-2012, 02:04 PM

What you need to do is simply get a stripper - preferably a good looker, and a bottle of DOT approved break fluid. Have her change your brake Fluid. While she is doing this, simply do not clean up the spilled or splashed product. With any luck, she will have spilled enough on the vin to remove anything ever applied. After she is done, have her perform....maybe two songs (Welcome to the Jungle and Ozzy's Iron Man). Then go and wipe up the spilled Brake fluid. Boom!

Cut her with a razor blade as a last resort attempt.....


08-13-2012, 04:25 PM	#1
PDXF4IandZX7 Endorsed Joined: Aug 2010 From: San Jose, CA I Ride: 2001 R6 CE	VIN Painted Over So, I have a bike that needs to be registered. The issue is that the VIN number that is stamped on the frame is illegible. The frame of the bike was powder coated prior to my ownership. Should I try to sand off the portion over the VIN or attempt to contact the state and get a new VIN (the power coat is deep, I'd be sanding with a block in a very awkward place to have to sand - under the right handle bar - and it'd probably take a few hrs)? I already tried to take it to DMV who referred me to CHP. CHP told me to get paint remover (which I don't think works for a power coating?) and then come back (which at that point I'd go straight to DMV - if I can read the VIN then I would imagine DMV could). Anyone have success in removing a powder coat fairly easily or in getting a new VIN? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 04:27 PM	#2
Thaloc Superbiker Joined: Jan 2009 From: Wenatchee, WA I Ride: a slow bike fast	Took me 5 seconds on google. Try it next time. http://www.eastwood.com/ew-powdercoa...ver-quart.html __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 04:28 PM	#3
PDXF4IandZX7 Endorsed Joined: Aug 2010 From: San Jose, CA I Ride: 2001 R6 CE	I suppose it was worth a google, wasn't it? Shaka brah __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 04:33 PM	#4
Thaloc Superbiker Joined: Jan 2009 From: Wenatchee, WA I Ride: a slow bike fast	It looks like it needs to soak though.. hmmm Might be tricky on the side of a frame __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 04:34 PM	#5
PDXF4IandZX7 Endorsed Joined: Aug 2010 From: San Jose, CA I Ride: 2001 R6 CE	Yeah, I was stoked, and then I was not quite as stoked, but maybe I can sponge it or something, lol __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 04:40 PM	#6
MeRock Permit Joined: Apr 2011 From: White Salmon, WA I Ride: 1996 Triumph Tiger	You might try scraping it off with a razor blade at a 90 degree angle. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 08:18 PM	#7
TJC Endorsed Joined: Jun 2009 From: Redmond, WA I Ride: two bikes in the morning. I ride two bikes at night. I ride two bikes in the afternoon cuz it makes me feel alright.	Isn't The Man going to be a little suspicious of a bunch of sanding on the VIN? Wouldn't the assumption be that the VIN had been modified? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 08:20 PM	#8
RedKat600 Joined: May 2011 From: LaCenter, WA I Ride: 2003 Copper SV1K	What, no VIN sticker?? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 08:27 PM	#10
shadowride69 Pit Crew Joined: Jun 2012 From: Olympia WA I Ride: 2009 shadow 750	do it(scrape with razor) in the parking lot of the dmv if your worried about them wondering why its scraped __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 10:03 PM	#14
Mince2534 Endorsed Joined: Jun 2010 From: Tacoma, wa I Ride: CBR 954RR	I don't know much about powder coating. But wouldn't a at least half decent Powder coater tape the vin up. looks like a jack ball move from the begining.. its stolen __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 12:10 AM	#17
odin544 Streetfighter Joined: Apr 2007 From: Kennewick, Washington I Ride: '08 Ducati 848 , '08 R6	I've removed powder coating from unwanted areas before. It was fairly easy. But it was also on fresh powder coating. I just used a razor. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 03:55 AM	#18
centicide Permit Joined: Jan 2007 From: Everett, Wa I Ride: one made of air	The trick for this is to use the stripper get the stripper and some 2" aluminum foil tape, use the tape and a bondo applicator ( to ensure a good seal) to make a tray around and above the vin. pour in your stripper and let it soak. dont use razor blades, blades make scratches, scratches turn into cracks. Say NO to crack. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by centicide; 08-14-2012 at 03:58 AM..


08-14-2012, 07:48 AM	#19
crfracer96 Licensed $crfracer96's Avatar$ Joined: Mar 2010 From: olalla, washington I Ride: ducati 1198s, 13 crf450,	vin you can go on line and run the vin before taking it to the popo. that way if it IS hot you wont be surprised! do you know/have contact info for the seller? may come in handy.... just sayin. If it is stolen, motor and frame may not match up, turn in just the frame! get new and rebuild your salvage bike __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 02:04 PM	#20
Kelbor Permit Joined: Jan 2008 From: Eugene	What you need to do is simply get a stripper - preferably a good looker, and a bottle of DOT approved break fluid. Have her change your brake Fluid. While she is doing this, simply do not clean up the spilled or splashed product. With any luck, she will have spilled enough on the vin to remove anything ever applied. After she is done, have her perform....maybe two songs (Welcome to the Jungle and Ozzy's Iron Man). Then go and wipe up the spilled Brake fluid. Boom! Cut her with a razor blade as a last resort attempt..... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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